Semroc Magnum Hornet

Semroc - Magnum Hornet {Kit} (KV-69)

Contributed by Jason Orosco

Construction Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Flight Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Overall Rating: starstarstarstarstar
Diameter: 1.33 inches
Length: 19.80 inches
Manufacturer: Semroc
Skill Level: 1
Style: Clone, Sport
Semroc Magnum Hornet

Brief:
I'll try and repeat what's in the other reviews, the Semroc Magnum Hornet is Retro-Repro of the Centuri Magnum Hornet with a 18mm motor adapter and 12" cute replaces the Streamer and Kevlar® thread/elastic shock cord replaces the rubber band from the old Magnum Hornet.

Construction:
The instructions are well written and easy to follow with quality parts, what I like that Semroc includes the 18mm motor adapter in this kit which is of high quality.

Starting with the fins was sanding lightly each side of laser cut fins and cutting them out and rounding the leading and trailing edges. The 24mm engine mount is easy to assemble what I did was take a empty 24mm engine casing and wrap 320 grit sand paper to smooth the inside of the RAH-5055 the rings slide easily on the motor mount tube. Another thing I like about this build is the Kevlar® thread attaches to engine hook, Also surprise was wrapping the masking tape around the engine tube and adding a light coat of glue that was some thing new to me. Pretty straight forward with the rest of the assemble attach the mount,fins,launch lug,gluing the fillets and screw eye to the nose cone. Last step 18mm engine adapter I use a empty 18mm engine casing with 320 grit sand paper to smooth out the 2 AR-2050.

Finishing:
I applied 2 coats of sanding sealer to the fins and nose cone, used 320 grit sandpaper to sand smooth, added a third coat of sanding sealer, and sanded smooth. I spray painted a light coat of white primer, let it dry, then sanded it smooth again. Using Valspar gloss black, I painted the nose cone and one fin. Taping off the already painted fin, I used Valspar bumble bee yellow to finish the rocket. I let the rocket dry for two days and applied the decals.

Construction Rating: 5 out of 5

Flight:
First flight I used a Estes A8-3. It was a nice flight and landed close to the pad. Second flight was on a Estes B6-4. Another nice flight a little walk to recover this rocket. Third flight was on Estes B6-4 for another nice flight.

Recovery:
The 12" chute works great on this rocket and makes it a nice small field flier.

Semroc Magnum HornetSemroc Magnum Hornet

Flight Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary:
PROs: 18mm adapter included in the kit, Kevlar® thread, and 12" chute.

CONs: None.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5

Other Reviews
  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Eldred Pickett (August 1, 2009)

    This was my first Semroc kit, so it was all new. It's a reproduction of an old Centuri kit with a few updates. There is an exploded-view diagram so you can see how the pieces go together. It also serves as a parts list showing how many of each part should be there. The parts were well laid out. The fins came on a laser-cut balsa sheet. This rocket also has a balsa nose cone for all your ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Matthew Bond (July 21, 2009)

    Centuri Engineering Company was started in the early 60s and was one of the early pioneers in the model rocket industry. Centuri was sold to Damon Corporation in the late 60s and maintained their product line separately from Estes until 1983. The Magnum Hornet was produced by Centuri from 1980-1983 and is unique in that it was one of a handful of Centuri kits comprised entirely of Estes parts. ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By John "MAX" Venable (June 25, 2009)

    Brief: A lightweight, fast flier possibly capable of supersonic speed. Construction: This baby was a fun build. I loved every minute of it. The kit contains high quality parts. A straightforward build, but I tweaked it. This kit was built entirely with epoxy with microballoons for added strength and sandability, so she can fly on AeroTech E-30s. I replaced the balsa fins with ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Peter Stanley (May 24, 2009)

    Brief: The Magnum Hornet is a Semroc Retro-Repro of a Centuri model. It is designed for 24mm motors but includes an 18mm adapter. Recovery is via 12" parachute. I ordered my kit from Semroc directly and had it within two days. Construction: The kit includes a balsa nosecone, one BT-55 body tube, a 3/16" launch lug, water slide decals, an elastic shock cord, Kevlar ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Jeff Lane (May 12, 2009)

    Brief: Chan's build experience exactly fit my own so I'll try not to repeat. The Magnum concept is simple: large motor, small rocket, and it actually makes more sense today than it did when originally marketed. I got my kit from Apogee, and it was damage-free. Construction: It is extremely easy to build and all the components are of high quality. Smooth, perfectly formed nose ...

  • Semroc Magnum Hornet By Chan Stevens (April 26, 2009)

    Semroc has gone "retro repro" again, bringing out a modern reproduction of one of the last Centuri designs before the Damon Corporation consolidated their product line under the Estes brand. The kit, although a Centuri model, featured Estes parts in its day. The Semroc reproduction features laser-cut fins, a balsa nose cone, and upgraded Kevlar/elastic shock cord, plus includes a chute ...

Flights

Comments:

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D.F. (June 21, 2009)
I had the original Centuri version of this kit but installed a 29mm mount in it instead of the 24mm and made the fins out of 3/32" plywood. It was one high flier! I regularly launched it on Composite Dynamics E20s and SSRS E30s. 2000-2500' flights, easily. Never had the guts to launch it on an F67 though. This was a well designed and stable rocket; it always flew straight with the heavier composite engines I used. I would have a friend launch it and I would be about 500ft away to track it easier. This rocket would be 200-300 feet in the air before I would hear the first sounds of the engine thrusting! Had a 25' streamer on it, which would barely be visable at ejection. I miss that rocket.
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M.G. (August 12, 2009)
My opinion is look at all the reviews + flight logs for this recent Semroc release! This is a super kit, and everyone should have one!

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